Mechanical musical instrument



J. METZGER.

MEGHANIGAL MU$IGAL INSTRUMENT.

No. 247,774. MW

(No Model.)

Patented Oct. 4, 1881? E! DU EIEI EU DE! [IE] IIIIII DE] ElEl Ell MEI El:IEI

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UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIcE.

JOSEPH METZGER, OF EAST CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS.

MECHANICAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 247,774, dated October4., 1881.

Application filed March 25, 1881.

(No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH METZGER, of East- Oambridge, of the county ofMiddlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and usefulImprovement in Reed-Organs; and I do hereby declare the same to bedescribed in the following specification and represented in theaccompanying drawings, of which- Figure 1 is a top view, Fig. 2 atransverse section, and Fig. 3 a longitudinal section, of the series ofreed-chambers and the parts above them of an organette, such containingmy improvement, the nature of which is fully set forth in the claim ashereinafter given.

In such drawings, the reed-chambers are shown at a, each being providedwith a reed, b, and openinginto a wind-chest, c, from which air is to beextracted by a bellows, as in most reed-organs.

Extending over the series of 1 eed-chalnbers is a mouth-piece or cap, A,having through it a mouth, 0, for each of the said chambers, suchmouth-piecebeing on its upper surface cushioned with leather or otherproper material, the cushion beingshown at t. On this cushion rests thetune-sheet B, which is ametallic plate bent in a cylindrical form aroundand fixed upon a rotary frame or supporter, 0, consisting of two or moredisks, d, and a shaft, 0, all being arranged as represented. Thetunesheet is perforated, as shown atf, which,while the tune-sheet andits supporter are being slowlyrevolved, are carried across the mouthscfthe reed-chambers, so as to admit air into them as may be required foroperating the reeds to produce a tune.

It will be observed that the rotary supporter of the tune-sheet ishollow or chambered, so that air can flow freely through it and thetunesheet, and thence into any of the reed-chambers, except when themouth of such chamber is closed by the tune-sheet. The tune-sheetsupporter rests directly upon the cushion t, and at one end is providedwith a gear, h, to engage with a pinion, 23, that projects from the sideof the gear 70. The latter gear engages in turn with another pinion, l,fixed on a cranked shaft, on. By turning the crank it of such shaft thetune-sheet and its supporter will be caused to revolve, the bellowsbeing operated at the same time by mechanism connected with it on theshaft.

I am aware that in organettes it has been customary to have thetune-sheets supported by a roller or rollers and pres ed down upon themouths of the reed-chambers by one or more separate rollers or devices.Therefore I do not claim such, my invention being to support thetune-sheet and cause it to operate in a different manner and to betteradvantage. In passing over the reed-chamber months the tune-sheet is notin the act of being wound upon a roller or off another roller; nor is itpressed down upon such months by another roller, but being fixed to itscarrier or frame it revolves therewith and is pressed down therebyagainst the cushion, and with such prevents airfrom passi nginto anyofthemouths where covered by such sheet.

What I claim in a reed-organ or organette as my invention is- Thecombination of the perforated drum composed of the tune-sheet and itsrotary sustaining frame or supporter with the series of reed-chambers,cushioned at their months, as explained, such supporter being arrangedover the reed-chamber mouths, and provided with means of revolving it,as and for the purpose set forth.

JOSEPH METZGER.

Witnesses:

It. H. EDDY, S. N. PIPER.

